precaution

Everyday

A precaution is something you do in advance to stop something bad or dangerous from happening. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons pupils learn precautions: wear a helmet, wear goggles in science, wash hands, put on sun cream. In everyday life people take an umbrella «as a precaution». In formal language, «safety precautions» are rules to follow. Phrases: take precautions, as a precaution, safety precautions, fire precautions.

Examples

• Wear goggles as a precaution in the science lab. tree →
• We took an umbrella as a precaution. tree →
• Wearing a helmet is a sensible precaution when cycling. tree →
• The school practises fire drills as a safety precaution. tree →
• As a precaution, the beach was closed during the storm. tree →
• Washing hands is a simple precaution against germs. tree →
• Take all safety precautions before using the oven. tree →
• He knew very well what that meant; but he had taken his precautions and was not afraid. tree →

Note

Countable noun; often plural «precautions». «Take precautions» is the usual verb. The adjective is «precautionary». «Pre-» means before: you act before the danger.